Book Review
For the fans of bodice-ripping romances, I have Dreams of a Highlander: A Scottish time travel romance (Arch Through Time Book 1) by Katy Backer.
Synopsis:
Darcy Greenway has no time for love. As a dedicated veterinarian her career and her patients come first. But since the death of her parents she’s been running, searching. She just doesn’t know what for.
On a much-needed vacation to Scotland she walks under a natural archway on the shore of a loch and finds herself catapulted into the sixteenth century…and right into the middle of a clan war.
Stranded in a world of danger and passion, Darcy finds herself drawn to Quinn MacFarlane, the brave Scottish warrior who swears to protect her. But Quinn has secrets of his own. Haunted by his failure to save his brother, his vow might be the very thing that keeps them apart. Because he’ll protect her from everyone – even himself.
With enemies closing in, Darcy must make a choice. Should she return home or should she risk her heart on her dream of a Highlander?
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Classic Review:
I can’t say I loved this book. I can’t say I hated it, either. It was okay, hence the 3 stars.
Let me tell you why.
The characters were well developed and true to themselves, often to a fault.
I like the secondary characters as well, as they were never intrusive in the story but still managed to have a reason to be there.
The plot was very nice, the way and reason why she went back in time made a lot more sense than other Time-travel stories. I liked that the reason was, plain and simple, put them together because the Fae knew there were soulmates destined to be together. There. No half-assed explanations, no maybe, no luck. I hate it when it’s luck. I also rather enjoyed how the good guys were tricked and, basically, bested in war tactics. Yes, they won. But still, the enemy managed to make a fool of them and that’s refreshing.
Now, things that left me frowning.
First, and times inconsistencies. No American (or so, so few of them) would say, “fancy a beer?”, or “queues”. No one in 1500 would use the word fan club. And how could he know how to use a zipper?
Then, was how it was all too easy, as far as being accepted and welcomed as part of the family. Okay, the Laird’s brother brought her there. But she was a stranger wearing weird clothes and speaking differently. And an entire village didn’t bat an eye. I see it was played this way because it was her ‘destined’ and right place, but to me, it was a bit too much. It would have been okay even just having someone looking at her with a bit of distrust.
Another point is how quickly she choose to stay in the past. Again, okay, she was supposed to be there. But she didn’t have such a crappy life in the future. She had friends and a job she loved. Of course, she chose him, but she thought it very briefly. Like, very briefly. I’m not a fan of characters that overthink things, but she gave up aspirin and modern medicine in half heartbeat. I’d have thought it a bit more thorough.
And the big one.
If the Fae hadn’t forced her to admit when she was from, would she ever have told him?
I mean, she agrees to marry the man, which is a big deal, but she didn’t feel like telling him this little detail about herself. She could have. It’s perfect pillow talk. Or the confession you have to make right after someone asks you to marry him. And when she did tell him, because the Fairy forced her, he took it pretty well. It played like this:
“I’m from the future.”
“Oh, okay, I thought you were weird. Okay, no prob.”
I mean. Underplayed, from both sides.
So, those reasons are why I don’t feel like giving the book more than 3 stars.
It’s still a nice read, though.
⭐⭐⭐
Viviana MacKade
Who am I?
Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.
Find me:
The best way to know me is through my website (and the books I host): http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/
The best way to see what I’m up to is through my Instagram account.
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All Those Miles I Walked by Viviana MacKade
At eighteen, DJ had to make a choice–her heart or her dreams. Neither was wrong, yet either would break her heart. She chose the world. Over a decade later, she returns to Crescent Creek and to the one regret she’s ever had–Scott. Scott’s always been steady as a rocky reef. He’d loved once and when she’d left, his strong heart had crumbled like a sandcastle. Now DJ is back, and Scott wants nothing to do with her. The problem? They share Eva, a close friend of both, and now Eva needs their help. Because of her, he’s stuck with DJ and he’d be damned, the woman still gets under his skin. DJ is a free spirit who needs the road under her feet. Scott is a family man who wants to groom his roots. With danger on their doorstep and a baby to keep safe, how much are they willing to compromise for love?
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